Allende vs. Pinochet

By: Nadine Dobb and Brian Hunt

Background

Chile was the largest exporter of Copper, and the US had interest in that product.

Allende was a socialist president in Chile. Allende’s commander in chief of the Chilean army was Augusto

Pinochet. The US CIA had worked to spread discontent and resistance

against the Chilean government. On September 11th 1973, Pinochet lead a coup d'état which

overthrew Allende’s democratically elected socialist government. The US government did not send in Pinochet but after the coup

d'état supported his new position of power by sending weapons. This support was not made public.

Different Perspectives

America – The US did not support Allende because he provided a socialist government in Chile and the US government and CIA prompted Eduardo Frei the president before Allende to support a military coup.

America – supported Pinochet after the coup d’etat. Supplied them with weapons but did not support publicly. “Unofficially endorsed” by the Nixon administration and the CIA. Support of the coup d'état could not be proven.

Soviets – The Soviets had connections with Allende and the Soviets gave out false information about Pinochet after the coup in order to try to win back support for Allende. However, they didn’t support Allende very much because they thought that he was weak because he refused to use force against the hostility during the coup.

Chile – There is political resistance in Chile during Pinochet’s time in power. He suppresses other political ideas and persecuted dissidents more than had ever been done before in Chile. The Chilean people did not support Pinochet because they were being suppressed. The military had a huge influence on politics in Chile. All leftist parties were banned. The people called it “politicide” or political genocide. Marxist guerilla fighters resisted the new government.

How were the issues resolved? Pinochet was in power until 1990, meaning the Chilean

people were suppressed politically for years. Issues were not exactly resolved, the situation was merely

changed. Allende’s socialist government was taken out of power,

which for the US was a success.

Evaluation

Winner – US – because they

kept the income of copper, and the socialist government was removed.

Losers – Soviets – Allende

refused to use force, so they were unable to back him. They lost a possible socialist ally.

Chileans – They lost their political freedom of thought. Many were killed by the military rule in resistance to them.

THE END